It's been a few months since I've read your works. I read a lot of SSHG fanfictions, and they tend to ravel together in my mind. What stands out to me from this story is your first chapter. It is so well written- the characterizations are exact; the writing reflects Rowling's; the story is plausible; and it is very well paced. This scene has been on my mind lately, and after re-reading this chapter I've decided to settle down and take in this story and the sequel again. (*coughs* feel free to begin that much anticipated 3rd installment. *cough*)

Magnificent fic! I am itching to go straight to the sequel but I have been awake roughly 24 hours because I couldn't quit this one!
Missy/LovesRickman

Mistletoe will get you in trouble almost every time! Loving this fic!
Missy/LovesRickman

It is rare to find such a well written SSHG fic that is true to the canon and plausible! Kudos. I loved your story and can't wait to start the sequel. 

I wonder what will happen in the next part!  ::squee::  An awesome finish.  Oh!  And the KISS - FABULOUS!You know, maybe I'm wrong, but I've come to the conclusion that Vector's equations have progressed to the point where she can see the whole world as a Rubics cube and no matter what way she turns the squares someone, or some group of people, will end of dead.  Not everyone can be saved - and the knowledge of that must be...hmmm.  It seems as though she could choose - if she wanted to - but then choosing who lives and who dies...that's a job for men like Dumbledore.  Vector is the the TI-83 PLUS graphing calculator...maybe that's why she is the way that she is.  She sees the knowledge, but she is not the one to act on it.  You've really got me thinking on this one.  I suppose if the wrong person tried to figure this all out they'd go mad trying to save everyone.  Mesmerizing.I'll start on part two later on today! 

It keeps getting harder and harder to spot pressing next.  Really it does!"When Hermione Granger left his office that evening, Severus barely made it into the privacy of his chambers before he lost it. He curled up on the floor just inside the door and wept: heaving, snotty, ridiculous tears. He cried about having to kill Albus. He cried about joining the Death Eaters. He cried about the atrocities he’d witnessed, and those he had perpetrated. He cried imagining Hooch and Minerva and Poppy thinking him a traitor. He cried about the miserable waste of his childhood and the dreadful tension of the years between the wars. He cried about the way the Dark Lord lusted after him, and he cried about being in love with his student. By the time he finished, he was exhausted."(best part eva!) 

If Hermione had hugged Severus, I don't think he would have let her go. 

But Severus!  The Elder Wand can be yours with only 5 easy payments of $9.95!No, but srsly, Dumbledore just keeps bombarding Snape with "Things-he-wished-he-didn't-need-to-know."  I don't think we really new throughout the series just how much Severus had to deal with.  It's surprising he wasn't throwing up blood...maybe he was. 

Ah, I think McGonagall might have some awkward questions for Dumbledore and Snape in the next chapter...maybe?Snape should be head of the Hogwarts Glee Club!  But that's an idea for a different story, so I don't think Snape will be teaching Hermione to sing this time around! 

It almost seems like Dumbledore KNEW and planned to be dying within a year so he would have less trouble asking Severus to kill him!  Which wouldn't be completely out of character in my opinion.  Poor Snape.  I can't wait to read the next chapter.

Oh I do like this.  I can't wait to read what happens.

This story was amazing.  I tend to avoid stories that work within canon as they can be truly horrid, but this, this was beautiful.  Your development of the secondary characters is amazing, it gives the story depth and life.  I loved in one of the earlier chapters the intimate connection between Hooch and Pomfrey, those little details make this story better.  Thank you for shairng your gift.

I really like how you opened this last chapter. One of the things that's always bothered me about Hermione (and Harry, too) is her moral certainty; in canon her world always seemed to me to be so clearly divided into good and bad. I like how you had her wrestling with the grey areas at the beginning: if both sides are using the same means to achieve their ends, how can that be a victory of good over evil? I like that your Hermione couldn't dismiss the implications of that. Her thought process later, when she tells Harry that evil is a strong word, when she reflects on Dumbledore and his motivations, that all resonated here for me so clearly because of how you set up the beginning. I liked seeing her grow as a character in this respect. The action sequences and the tension throughout this chapter were also really well done. I had a very strong sense of the immediacy of the danger they were all in.And GAH!!! Ok I totally didn't see that kiss coming, which gave it that much more impact. I like that it wasn't romantic or fluffy: it was a struggle--the way their relationship has been throughout the story. And it was very appropriate that only in a moment where Snape is acknowledging that he might not live through this experience does he go for it. Well done, you!I also have to admire how you've set everything up so neatly for the sequel: the memory charm, the books in Snape's office, the pre-prepared potions. As a reader, I find your attention to detail is so rewarding.

Oh, and I loved Vector's goodbye scene. I really liked her as a character here, as you know, and I felt her leave-taking was very satisfying. I certainly hope to see her again.

Overall, I have to say: not bad for your first fic ever. And of course, if you've read the rest of my comments you know that's a gross, gross understatement. ;) I look forward to the sequel.

This was an amazing and heart pounding story. I thoroughly enjoyed every word. I somehow knew that with the help of Arithmancy, Hermione would reason out Snape's role in Dumbledore's death, and she would also know better than to interfere.I will anxiously read on as your sequal takes shape.So glad you decided to write and share this with us. Thanks!

Wow!  What a ride.  This story is delightful.  Thank you for sharing all that incredible labor and I hope you write more.

The two that remained were twisted into a complex relationship, arcing around and over each other, pulled and bent out of shape by the force of their interaction.That is a great line. Neatly sums things up, with a kind of poetry to it.I'm enjoying the development of Prof. Vector's character. You've taken a name dropped by JKR and fleshed her out into a real human with a very intriguing backstory. She's very three-dimensional here (do excuse the pun), but there's just enough mystery to her to keep me guessing. Skillful you!

Re Snape and Hermione's "falling out" (way to phrase it, Dumbledore), I find it very IC for him to strike out at someone that way, with such venom, in order to keep that person from coming too close. He doesn't just go for the light insult, he goes for the throat.

I'm quite intrigued by how the story is progressing. And I just adored the scene in the Room of Requirement. You really captured Hermione's exhilaration at learning a new skill--the no-I-can't-do-this-it's-too-difficult-wait!-click-yes-I-can! Loved it.And the image of Snape in tracky bottoms? Priceless.

Oh, I love the monthly lesbian poker night idea.  I just need some poker-playing lesbians to play with!  Hermione's declaration that she was 'almost sixteen' just about made me crack something.  As if sixteen is on the brink of spinsterhood!  She made it sound like being a virgin at 17 is akin to social mortification- when really, it's not like anyone can tell.  It's just so very teenager of her to say so, which works, oddly enough. 
She usually seems so mature for her age, and so brilliant, but moments like that remind us quite pointedly that for all she is essential to the war and quite an advanced mind, she is still just past being a girl herself.

This is the perspective on Snape's agreement to kill Dumbledore that I've always wanted to read. His inner monologue was so insightful. Nice work.

It's taken me a while, but I've begun reading, and I just had to tell you how much I adored this line:The thick walls of Snape’s emotional defences were angled to withstand hatred and suspicion, letting respect and concern slip through into tender interior spaces with an ease he found terrifying.So quintessentially Snape. Brilliant.Also, I adored the parallels between Dumbledore and Voldemort--self-righteous, tyrannical pedagogues both--and Snape's methods of dealing with each of them. Excellent work.

Oh what a wild birthday. Why was Snape being such a prick. Surely he coudl have told her to stop 'looking' at him or appearing 'anxious' in his direction! Geeze that man is cold. Even in his office - I mane his face won't crack if he lightens up any (or will it?)I did like how you did the oath, and the way Dumbledore handled the use of the charm, Hermione will berate herself over it more this way.

Oh, man, I really feel for little Jocelyn! That poor girl! Her background was so sad. And Severus' summoning, I suppose it wasn't as bad as he could have gotten, BUt I do hope Bella was punished somewhat!  I did really enjoy the moment between the 'cat' and Severus.

Now why couldn't the Hermione in the books be as intelligent as the Hermione in your story?  For someone who was widely acclaimed as the brightest witch of her age, Rowling certainly did not portray her as such at the end of the 6th/beginning of the 7th books.Occam's Razor, I love the theory.  Wish it worked more in real life.Looking forward to the next chapter. =)

WOW WOW WOW again.The Arithmancy here was powerful. And S/H are definitely sharing a lot by now, so... what will he tell her, and what will D. tell him? I have my guesses of course. This is a great improvement of Dumbledore's shabby plan in canon!

WOW WOW WOW!The apology scene is mindblowing - completely incoherent. Need a moment to collect thoughts...(uh-oh! NOW I realise I've read two chapters in a row, LOL!)-- back from reviewing a bit of ch.19 --So much for premonitions! Hermione is astonishingly brave and mature. And generous and oh so different from dear Lily.She manages to call him to duty, dismiss his repeated attempts at rejection, forgive him - more than once- and save him from his foolheaded actions.Canon!Severus is such an intriguing mix of cool-headedness and sudden bursts of emotivity, but in this case his response is worth a blunt declaration of trust, affection and, above and beyond everything, hope. Exactly what he needs in this moment of extreme hardship.Better stop here or I'll blabber about things yet to come in the story :DWhat next... (again, excuse me but I can't think straight right now!) Well, random thoughts follow:I SO enjoyed Snape coming to rescue yet Hermione doing the rest by herself! Good riddance, McLaggen (I hope so!)I like S. thoughts around Vector and her probable knowledge about his outcomes when he was still a student. I hope he'll grow to develop some sort of relation with her, other than this detached realisation.*rushes off to following chapter*